T-REX
Time-Resolving Black Holes from LEO
Ref Bari, Brown University
20000\text{ km}
400\text{ km}
\text{BHEX}
\text{Pathfinder}
"Metrics and Motivations for Earth–Space VLBI: Time-resolving Sgr A* with the Event Horizon Telescope" Palumbo et. al. ApJ 2019
\text{BHEX}
\text{T-REX}
\text{EHT}
\text{T-REX}
\text{EHT}
\text{LEO}
\text{MEO}
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
- Time-scale of Sgr A* accretion disk: 4<T<30 minutes (0<J<1)
- Time-scale of LEO Orbit: 90 minutes, with 22-minute (u,v) coverage
"Imaging the event horizon of M87* from space on different timescales" Shlentsova et. al. ApJ 2024
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Black Hole
VLBI
LEO
Black Hole
VLBI
LEO
Schwarzschild Black Hole
ds=\left(1-\frac{2M}{r}\right)^{-1}dt^2 + \left(1-\frac{2M}{r}\right)dr^2 + r^2 (\sin^2\phi d^2\theta + d^2\theta)
Very Long Baseline Interferometry
I(l,m)
A(l,m)
e^{-2\pi i (ul+vm)}
\int
dl dm
V(u,v)=
Low-Earth Orbit
\text{To time resolve Sgr A*, we must have} \\f_{coverage}>50\% \text{ in } t < T_{ISCO} \sim 30 \text{ min}
Black Hole
VLBI
LEO
- 🎯 Introduction
- ✨ Black Holes: An Intro
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
Pathfinder
- 🎯 Introduction
- ✨ Black Holes: An Intro
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
Pathfinder
Ref Bari
Physics MS, Brown
-
Analysis of Binary Black Holes via Neural Networks (under Prof. Brendan Keith, Brown)
-
Funded under NSF Neural DynAMO Grant
-
-
“Nitrogen Outgassing from Water Worlds” (R.Bari et. al., under review, The Astrophysical Journal 2025)
-
“Reflection from Relativistic Light Sails” (R. Bari, The Astronomical Journal 2024)
-
“Simulating the Action Principle in Optics” (R. Bari, The Physics Teacher 2023)
-
Spin Qubit CNN Researcher at the Meriles Condensed Matter Lab
-
“A Path Integral Derivation of Hawking Radiation” (MS Thesis)
Binary Black Holes
Physics MS, Brown
-
Analysis of Binary Black Holes via Neural Networks (Prof. Brendan Keith, Brown)
Brown Space Engineering
Spaceflight Heritage
EQUiSat
SBUDNIC
PVDX
Spaceflight Heritage
SBUDNIC
PVDX
- 1U CubeSat (1.3 kg, 10x10x10 cm)
- Payload: High-Power LED Array + LiFePO4 Batteries (<6 kg)
- ADCS: Passive Magnetic Atitude Control System
- Power Generated: 1.3W (Top+Bottom Panels) & .7W (Side)
-
Total Cost: $5000
- All components built in-house at Brown Engineering Lab
EQUiSat
- 3U CubeSat (3 kg, 30x10x10 cm)
- Payload: Ham Radio Transceiver, 2 Cameras, Arduino Nano
- ADCS: Spring-Loaded + Aerodynamic Drag Sail
- Power Generated: 1.3W (Top+Bottom Panels) & .7W (Side)
-
Total Cost: $10,000
- 3D-Printed Components at BDW
- 3U CubeSat (~6 kg, 30x10x10 cm)
- Payload: Perovskite Solar Panels + Robotic Arm + Digital Display
- ADCS: Magnetorquers
-
Total Cost: ~$30,000
- 3D-Printed Components at BDW
- CUBECOM S-Band Transceiver ($10,000)
Spaceflight Heritage
SBUDNIC
PVDX
EQUiSat
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
\textbf{Primary Science Objectives: }\text{Time-Resolve Sgr A*'s Accretion Disk at 86 GHz}
\text{Conduct 86 GHz VLBI survey from LEO}
\text{Enable time-resolved multi-messenger astronomy}
10 \text{ GHz}
47 \text{ GHz}
220 \text{ GHz}
1100 \text{ GHz}
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
- 🎯 Introduction
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
- 🤝 The Request
M87
Sgr A*
M=2.4\times 10^{12}M_{\circ}
M=4.3\times 10^{9}M_{\circ}
M=2.4\times 10^{12}M_{\circ}
0.5 < J<1
J=?
D_L=55\times10^9 \text{ ly}
D_L=30,000\text{ ly}
M87
Sgr A*
Black Hole (M87)
Event Horizon Telescope
(2019)
Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)
Event Horizon Telescope
(2019)
Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)
Pathfinder
- 🎯 Introduction
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
- 🤝 The Request
Pathfinder
- 🎯 Introduction
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
- 🤝 The Request
Spaceflight Heritage
EQUiSat
SBUDNIC
PVDX
Spaceflight Heritage
SBUDNIC
PVDX
EQUiSat
Pathfinder
\text{MEO} (20000 \text{ km})
\text{LEO} (400 \text{ km})
Pathfinder
Imaging a Black Hole
"Metrics and Motivations for Earth–Space VLBI: Time-resolving Sgr A* with the Event Horizon Telescope" Palumbo et. al. ApJ 2019
Optical Terminals
RF Tracking Stations
VLBI Ground Stations
\text{T-REX}
T-REX Data Center
Optical Terminals
RF Tracking Stations
VLBI Ground Stations
\text{T-REX}
T-REX Data Center
Optical Terminals
RF Tracking Stations
VLBI Ground Stations
\text{T-REX}
T-REX Data Center
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
- 🎯 Introduction
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Profiles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
- 🤝 The Request
Pathfinder SWaPC
Size
Weight
Power
Power
Cost
\sim 2.5m
\sim 25-50kg
22 kg
300W
400mW @15^{\circ}K
\$10 \text{mln}
754 mm \times \\ 146 mm \times \\ 300 mm
\$2-5 \text{Mln}
\$4-11 \text{Mln}
10-20W
\text{(deployment)}
5-7 kg
\sim 10W
\sim \$ 1 \text{mln}
\sim0.02m^3
\sim 1 kg
\sim 3W
\sim \$1\text{mln}^*
60 mm\times \\60mm \times \\32 mm
1U (100 mm\times \\100 mm \times \\100 mm)
1.2 kg
1.2 kg
100W\\\text{generated}
\sim \$100\text{k}
3U (300 mm\times \\300 mm \times \\300 mm)
100W
3 kg
\sim \$1\text{mln}^*
\sim 4W
\sim 1 kg^*
12 mm \times \\12 mm
\sim \$1\text{mln}^*
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
NASA Pioneers
Aspera
Pandora
StarBurst
PUEO
(Galaxy Evolution via UV)
(Exoplanet Explorer)
(Neutron Stars via Gamma Rays)
(Particle Physics via High-Energy Neutrinos)
Mission Parameters
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as
\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}
\tau_{\text{Coherence, BHEX-Mini}}\lessapprox 2 \text{ min} \sim 120 s
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
SEFD
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 100K
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 100K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 100K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX}}\sim 18,000 \text{ Jy}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{ALMA}}\sim 74 \text{ Jy}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{SMA}}\sim 6700 \text{ Jy}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{SMT}}\sim 10,500 \text{ Jy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}=\frac{1}{\eta_{\mathrm{Q}}} \sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{SEFD}_{\mathrm{BHEX}} \mathrm{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}}{2 \Delta \nu \Delta t}}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}=\frac{1}{\eta_{\mathrm{Q}}} \sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{SEFD}_{\mathrm{BHEX}} \mathrm{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}}{2 \Delta \nu \Delta t}}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}=\frac{1}{\eta_{\mathrm{Q}}} \sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{SEFD}_{\mathrm{EHT}} \mathrm{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}}{2 \Delta \nu \Delta t}}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}=\frac{1}{0.75} \sqrt{\frac{(18,000 \text{ Jy})(32,000 \text{Jy})}{2 (32 \text{GHz}) (100s)}}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}=\frac{1}{0.75} \sqrt{\frac{(6000 \text{ Jy})(32,000 \text{Jy})}{2 (32 \text{GHz}) (10s)}}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot f \cdot \sigma_t
\sigma_t = \sigma_f \cdot \Delta t
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot f \cdot \sigma_t
\sigma_t = \sigma_f \cdot \Delta t
\sigma_t = 8\cdot 10^{-15} (\text{LISA USO})
\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot (86\cdot 10^9 \text{ Hz}) \cdot 8\cdot 10^{-15}s\sim 10^{-3} \text{ rad}<1 \text{ rad}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\Delta t = \text{10 s})
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\Delta t = \text{10 s})
L = 1-\exp\left(-2\pi^{2}f^{2}t^{2}\sigma_y^{2}\right)
L = 1-\exp\left[-2\pi^{2}(86\cdot 10^9)^{2}(10)^{2}(5\cdot 10^{-11})^{2}\right]\sim 1\%
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})=N_{\text {bits }} \times \Delta \nu \times 2_{\text {pol }} \times 2_{\text {Nyquist }}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})=N_{\text {bits }} \times \Delta \nu \times 2_{\text {pol }} \times 2_{\text {Nyquist }}
\text{Rate}\times T_{orb} \times \text{Duty Cycle} = \text{Total Data (GB)}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{S-S} \sim \frac{\lambda}{D}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{S-S} \sim \frac{\lambda}{D}=\frac{3.5mm}{20,000 km}
\theta_{S-G} \sim \frac{\lambda}{D}=\frac{3.5mm}{400 km}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as
\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as
\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}
\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as
\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}
\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}
\omega=\frac{2\pi}{P} = \frac{2\pi}{1.5 \text{ hr}\cdot \frac{3600 s}{1 \text{hr}}}=1.16\times 10^{-3} rad/s
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as
\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}
\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as
\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}
\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}
\theta_{FOV} = 180 \mu as
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as
\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}
\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}=\frac{1}{(1.16\times 10^{-3} \frac{rad}{s}) (3.5 G\lambda)(1.6\cdot 10^{-7}s)}
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as
\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}
\tau_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}\lessapprox \frac{15G\lambda}{3.5 G\lambda}\lessapprox 4.2 \text{ min}, \tau_{\text{Coherence, BHEX-Mini}}\sim 275 s
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Systems Design
T^*_{sys} = [T_{rx}+\eta_{ff}T_{b, inc}](1+r)\sim 30K
T_{b,inc}=\frac{F_{tot}A_{eff}}{2k}\sim 3\cdot 10^{-3} K
T_{rx}=15K, \eta_{ff}=0.95, \eta_{A}=0.85, r= 1, F_{tot}\sim 2\pm 0.2 Jy
SEFD
USO
Data
\theta_{\text{Res}}
Orbit
\sigma_{\text{Noise}}
\tau_{\text{max}}
\Delta \phi = 4.3\cdot 10^{-3} \text{ rad } (\text{LISA USO})
L\sim 1\% \text{ (JUICE USO)}
\operatorname{Rate}(\mathrm{bps})\sim 8,750 \text{ GB }(T_{obs}=.5T_{orb}) \text{ over 1 orbit}
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini -BHEX}}\sim 35 \mu as
\theta_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}} \sim 1800 \mu as
\text{Circular Highly-Inclined Polar LEO}, r\sim 400 km, e \sim 0, i>78^{\circ}
66.93s<\tau_{GS}<275s
\text{SEFD}_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}=\frac{2kT^*_{sys}}{\eta_A A}\sim 32,000 \text{ Jy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - BHEX}}\sim 12.65 \text{ mJy}
\sigma_{\text{BHEX Mini - EHT}}\sim 40 \text{ mJy}
Pathfinder
- 🎯 Introduction
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Roles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
- 🤝 The Request
Pathfinder
Partner Satellite to BHEX
Stand-alone Satellite
Pathfinder Mission
Pathfinder
Partner Satellite to BHEX
Stand-alone Satellite
Pathfinder Mission
Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz
Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87
Achieve Space-Space VLBI
20,200\text{ km}
400\text{ km}
Pathfinder
Partner Satellite to BHEX
Stand-alone Satellite
Pathfinder Mission
Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz
Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87
Achieve Space-Space VLBI
20,200\text{ km}
400\text{ km}
T-REX ConOps
Pathfinder
Partner Satellite to BHEX
Stand-alone Satellite
Pathfinder Mission
Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz
Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87
Achieve Space-Space VLBI
20,200\text{ km}
400\text{ km}
Pathfinder
Pathfinder Mission
Partner Satellite to BHEX
Stand-alone Satellite
Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz
Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87
Achieve Space-Space VLBI
Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz
Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87
Achieve Space-Space VLBI
Survey of >25 AGN+BH Targets @86 GHz
Enable Population Modeling of SMBHs
Enable real-time imaging of dynamical accretion disk around Sgr A*
Enable multi-messenger gravitational astronomy w/ LIGO + LISA
OJ 287
OJ 287
OJ 287
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Partner Satellite to BHEX
Stand-alone Satellite
Pathfinder Mission
Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz
Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87
Achieve Space-Space VLBI
Supplement (u,v) coverage at 86 GHz
Enable parameter estimation of Sgr A*/M87
Achieve Space-Space VLBI
Survey of >25 AGN+BH Targets @86 GHz
Enable Population Modeling of SMBHs
Enable real-time imaging of dynamical accretion disk around Sgr A*
Enable multi-messenger gravitational astronomy w/ LIGO + LISA
Enable low-cost Space-Ground & Space-Space VLBI
Pathfinder
- 🎯 Introduction
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Roles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
- 🤝 The Request
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
BHEX Mini
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
Prospects of Detecting a Jet in Sagittarius A* with VLBI (Chavez et. al., ApJ 2024)
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
32\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
- What kind of targets can we observe with this angular resolution?
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
32\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
- What kind of targets can we observe with this angular resolution?
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
20,000\text{ km}
12000\text{ km}
400\text{ km}
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
32\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
- What kind of targets can we observe with this angular resolution?
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
20,000\text{ km}
12000\text{ km}
400\text{ km}
Metrics and Motivations for Earth–Space VLBI: Time-resolving Sgr A* with the Event Horizon Telescope (Palumbo et. al., ApJ 2019)
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
32\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
- What kind of targets can we observe with this angular resolution?
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
400\text{ km}
Metrics and Motivations for Earth–Space VLBI: Time-resolving Sgr A* with the Event Horizon Telescope (Palumbo et. al., ApJ 2019)
20000\text{ km}
12000\text{ km}
\text{BHEX}
\text{BHEX Mini}
"Metrics and Motivations for Earth–Space VLBI: Time-resolving Sgr A* with the Event Horizon Telescope" Palumbo et. al. ApJ 2019
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
32\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
- What kind of targets can we observe with this angular resolution?
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
Multifrequency Black Hole Imaging for the Next-generation Event Horizon Telescope (Chael et. al., 2023, ApJ)
400\text{ km}
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution:
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
- What is the integration time for BHEX Mini on the (u,v) plane?
- Could BHEX Mini possibly enable direct imaging of dynamic accretion disk around Sgr A*? (i.e., creating a movie of a black hole!)
\text{To time resolve Sgr A*, we must have} \\f_{coverage}>50\% \text{ in } t < T_{ISCO} \sim 30 \text{ min}
Pathfinder
\text{To time resolve Sgr A*, we must have} \\f_{coverage}>50\% \text{ in } t < T_{ISCO} \sim 30 \text{ min}
Pathfinder
\tau<\frac{1}{\omega D_\lambda \theta_{\mathrm{FOV}}}
\sigma=\frac{1}{\eta_{\mathrm{Q}}} \sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{SEFD}_1 \mathrm{SEFD}_2}{2 \Delta \nu \tau}}
\text{Coherence Time}
\text{Thermal Noise}
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Maximum data transmission rate (in bits per second); How fast can you send data from BHEX Mini to the earth?
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Power of Transmitted Signal: Strength of downlink signal in Watts (i.e., shouting louder to be heard further away!)
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Transmitter Gain: How well-focused your signal is when it leaves the satellite
(i.e., shouting into a megaphone instead of into the wind)
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Receiver Gain: How effectively the ground station collects and concentrates the incoming signal (i.e., ALMA's big dish listening to our incoming signal)
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Received Power: How strong is the signal once it hits the ground receiver? (after traveling through empty space)
P_r = P_tG_tG_r \left( \frac{\lambda}{4\pi R}\right)^2 \cdot \eta
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Receiver Gain: How effectively the ground station collects and concentrates the incoming signal (i.e., ALMA's big dish listening to our incoming signal)
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Distance: How much distance did the signal travel through free space? (LEO vs. MEO!)
P_r = P_tG_tG_r \left( \frac{\lambda}{4\pi R}\right)^2 \cdot \eta
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
Receiver Gain: How effectively the ground station collects and concentrates the incoming signal (i.e., ALMA's big dish listening to our incoming signal)
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
- Since BHEX Mini's laser downlink would suffer less signal loss from LEO than BHEX at MEO, can we transmit more data?
- Can this be leveraged to use 2-bit quantization instead of 1-bit quantization?
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
30 min
60 min
90 min
24 hr
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
Pathfinder
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
Sub-milli arcsecond angular resolution
Dual short and long baseline lengths
Rapid coverage of (u,v) plane
Decreased signal loss from LEO
Decreased radiation environment in LEO vs. MEO
22\mu as<\theta_{\text{BHEX-Mini}} < 1800 \mu as
5.6 G \lambda < b_{s s}<9.3 G \lambda
0.11 G \lambda < b_{s g}<3.5 G \lambda
T_{orb}=90 \text{ min}
Decreased ISM scattering at LEO than MEO
R_{\max } \approx \frac{P_t G_t G_r \eta}{k T_b B}\left(N_{\bmod }\right)
P_r = P_tG_tG_r \left( \frac{\lambda}{4\pi R}\right)^2 \cdot \eta
Pathfinder
Decreased ISM scattering at LEO than MEO
Orbit design for mitigating interstellar scattering effects in Earth-space VLBI observations of Sgr A* (Aditya Tamar, Ben Hudson, Daniel C.M. Palumbo, A&A, 2025)
Pathfinder
Decreased ISM scattering at LEO than MEO
V_{obs}(b) = S\cdot \exp\left(-\frac{\pi^2 b^2\theta^2}{4\ln 2}\right)\exp \left(-\frac{1}{2} C_\phi^2 b^\alpha r_F^{2-\alpha}\right)
Intrinsic Gaussian Source
b=\frac{\lambda}{D}\to \text{BHEX Mini: } 0.1G\lambda b_{sg}<3.5G\lambda
b=\frac{\lambda}{D}\to \text{BHEX:}\geq 20G\lambda
Pathfinder
Decreased ISM scattering at LEO than MEO
V_{obs}(b) = S\cdot \exp\left(-\frac{\pi^2 b^2\theta^2}{4\ln 2}\right)\exp \left(-\frac{1}{2} C_\phi^2 b^\alpha r_F^{2-\alpha}\right)
ISM Scattering
C_{\phi}\propto \lambda^2 (\lambda_{\text{BHEX Mini}}=3.5 mm)
- At MEO, BHEX is 20x the orbital altitude of BHEX Mini
- BHEX observes at a f=320 GHz, 4x higher than BHEX Mini
Pathfinder
Decreased ISM scattering at LEO than MEO
V_{ratio}(b) = \frac{e^{-b_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}^2} e^{-\lambda_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}^2 b^\alpha}}{e^{-b_{\text{BHEX}}^2} e^{-\lambda_{\text{BHEX}}^2 b^\alpha}}
\lambda_{\text{BHEX Mini}}=3.7\lambda_{\text{BHEX}}, b_{\text{BHEX Mini}} = \frac{1}{5}b_{\text{BHEX}}
\lambda_{\text{BHEX}}=1.33mm, b_{\text{BHEX Mini}} \sim 20G\lambda
V_{\text{BHEX-Mini}}\sim 10V_{\text{BHEX}}
BHEX Mini Visibility Amplitude Advantage
Regardless of Source Flux Density!
V_{obs}(b) = S\cdot \exp\left(-\frac{\pi^2 b^2\theta^2}{4\ln 2}\right)\exp \left(-\frac{1}{2} C_\phi^2 b^\alpha r_F^{2-\alpha}\right)
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Size
Weight
Power
Power
Cost
\sim 2.5m
\sim 25-50kg
22 kg
300W
400mW @15^{\circ}K
\$10 \text{mln}
754 mm \times \\ 146 mm \times \\ 300 mm
\$2-5 \text{Mln}
\$4-11 \text{Mln}
10-20W
\text{(deployment)}
5-7 kg
\sim 10W
\sim \$ 1 \text{mln}
\sim0.02m^3
\sim 1 kg
\sim 3W
\sim \$1\text{mln}^*
60 mm\times \\60mm \times \\32 mm
1U (100 mm\times \\100 mm \times \\100 mm)
1.2 kg
1.2 kg
100W
\sim \$100\text{k}
3U (300 mm\times \\300 mm \times \\300 mm)
100W
3 kg
\sim \$1\text{mln}^*
\sim 4W
\sim 4W
12 mm \times \\12 mm
\sim \$1\text{mln}^*
Pathfinder
Pathfinder SWaPC
Size
Weight
Power
Power
Cost
\sim 2.5m
\sim 25-50kg
22 kg
300W
400mW @15^{\circ}K
\$10 \text{mln}
754 mm \times \\ 146 mm \times \\ 300 mm
\$2-5 \text{Mln}
\$4-11 \text{Mln}
10-20W
\text{(deployment)}
5-7 kg
\sim 10W
\sim \$ 1 \text{mln}
\sim0.02m^3
\sim 1 kg
\sim 3W
\sim \$1\text{mln}^*
60 mm\times \\60mm \times \\32 mm
1U (100 mm\times \\100 mm \times \\100 mm)
1.2 kg
1.2 kg
100W\\\text{generated}
\sim \$100\text{k}
3U (300 mm\times \\300 mm \times \\300 mm)
100W
3 kg
\sim \$1\text{mln}^*
\sim 4W
\sim 1 kg^*
12 mm \times \\12 mm
\sim \$1\text{mln}^*
\sim85.3 kg
\sim 437 W
\sim \$25\text{ million}
N/A
Pathfinder
Antenna
Pathfinder
Receiver
Pathfinder
Cryocooler
Pathfinder
Cryocooler
HiPTC Heat Intercepted Pulse Tube Cooler
- Cost: $10 Million
- Mass: 22kg
-
Cooling power
- 400 mW at 15K
- 5.2 W at 100K
- Electric power: 300 W
Pathfinder
Solar Panels
Pathfinder
Ultra-Stable Oscillator
Pathfinder
Ultra-Stable Oscillator
\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot f \cdot \sigma_t
\sigma_t = \sigma_f \cdot \Delta t
Phase Error
Pathfinder
Ultra-Stable Oscillator
\sigma_f = 5\cdot 10^{-11}, f_{obs}=86 \text{ GHz}
\Delta t = 1s:
\sigma_t = 5\cdot 10^{-11} \cdot 1s = 5\cdot 10^{-11} s
\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot (86\cdot 10^9 \text{ Hz}) \cdot 5\cdot 10^{-11} s=27.01 \text{ rad}
\Delta t = 10s:
\sigma_t = 5\cdot 10^{-11} \cdot 10s = 50\cdot 10^{-11} s
\Delta \phi = 2\pi \cdot (86\cdot 10^9 \text{ Hz}) \cdot 50\cdot 10^{-11} s=270.01 \text{ rad}
\Delta \phi<1 \text{ rad for Phase Coherence}
Pathfinder
Ultra-Stable Oscillator
Allan Deviation
f=86 \text{ GHz}, t=10s, \sigma_y = 5\cdot 10^{-11}
L = 1-\exp\left[-2\pi^{2}(86\cdot 10^9)^{2}(10)^{2}(5\cdot 10^{-11})^{2}\right]
ABRACON SMD OCXO
L = 1-\exp\left(-2\pi^{2}f^{2}t^{2}\sigma_y^{2}\right)
L\sim 1\%<10\% \text{ required for Phase Coherence}
Pathfinder
Digital Backend
Pathfinder
Original Analog Radio Signal
Pathfinder
Sample the Signal every Unit Interval
f_s\geq 2f
Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem
Pathfinder
Retain only the samples and record the sign of the voltage for each sample
Pathfinder
Reconstruct the original signal
Pathfinder
- 🎯 Introduction
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Roles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
- 🤝 The Request
Pathfinder
- Email BHEX Team
Jan 2025
Pathfinder
- Email BHEX Team
Jan 2025
Pathfinder
- Email BHEX Team
Jan 2025
Pathfinder
- Email BHEX Team
Jan 2025
Feb 2025
- Literature Review
Pathfinder
- Email BHEX Team
Jan 2025
Feb 2025
Mar 2025
- Literature Review
- Advised on BHEX Mini by Prof. Rick Fleeter
- Submit to Rhode Island Space Grant
Rick Fleeter
Pathfinder
- Email BHEX Team
Jan 2025
Feb 2025
Mar 2025
- Literature Review
Apr 2025
- Ivy Space Conference
- Ben Hudson (BHEX, KISPE)
- Luke Anderson (Orion Space Systems)
Ben Hudson
Luke Anderson
- Advised on BHEX Mini by Prof. Rick Fleeter
- Submit to Rhode Island Space Grant
Pathfinder
- Email BHEX Team
Jan 2025
Feb 2025
Mar 2025
- Literature Review
Apr 2025
May 2025
- Ivy Space Conference
- Ben Hudson (BHEX, KISPE)
- Luke Anderson (Orion Space Systems)
- Trained ~6 undergraduates to run simulations on BHEX Mini
- Jeffrey Olson (Cryocooler Engineer, Lockheed Martin
Jeffrey Olson
- Advised on BHEX Mini by Prof. Rick Fleeter
- Submit to Rhode Island Space Grant
Pathfinder
Jun 2025
Jul 2025
- Completed Antenna SWaPC Requirements
- Obtained Preliminary Grant Funding from Nelson Center
- Began correspondence with NASA JPL on Ultrastable Oscillators
- Constrained BHEX Mini SWaPC Requirements
- Approved by Brown Division of Research as PI for BHEX Mini
- Submitted to NASA NIAC Phase I Solicitation
- Accepted to SmallSat Europe 2026
Todd Ely
Joseph Lazio
Eric Burt
- Email BHEX Team
Jan 2025
Feb 2025
Mar 2025
- Literature Review
Apr 2025
May 2025
Jun 2025
Jul 2025
- Ivy Space Conference
- Ben Hudson (BHEX, KISPE)
- Luke Anderson (Orion Space Systems)
- Trained ~6 undergraduates to run simulations on BHEX Mini
- Jeffrey Olson (Cryocooler Engineer, Lockheed Martin)
- Rejected from RISG
- Completed Antenna SWaPC Requirements
- Obtained Preliminary Grant Funding from Nelson Center
- Began correspondence with NASA JPL on Space-Space VLBI
- Constrained BHEX Mini SWaPC Requirements
- Approved by Brown Division of Research as PI for BHEX Mini
- Submitted to NASA NIAC Phase I Solicitation
- Accepted to SmallSat Europe 2026
- Advised on BHEX Mini by Prof. Rick Fleeter
- Submit to Rhode Island Space Grant
Feb 2025
Mar 2025
- Literature Review
Apr 2025
May 2025
Jun 2025
Jul 2025
- Ivy Space Conference
- Ben Hudson (BHEX, KISPE)
- Luke Anderson (Orion Space Systems)
- Trained ~6 undergraduates to run simulations on BHEX Mini
- Jeffrey Olson (Cryocooler Engineer, Lockheed Martin)
- Rejected from RISG
- Completed Antenna SWaPC Requirements
- Obtained Preliminary Grant Funding from Nelson Center
- Began correspondence with NASA JPL on Space-Space VLBI
- Rejected from International Astronautical Congress
- Constrained BHEX Mini SWaPC Requirements
- Approved by Brown Division of Research as PI for BHEX Mini
- Submitted to NASA NIAC Phase I Solicitation
- Accepted to SmallSat Europe 2026
- Advised on BHEX Mini by Prof. Rick Fleeter
- Submit to Rhode Island Space Grant
- Meeting with MIT Lincoln Labs (8/15)
- Colloquium at Princeton IAS (9/04)
- Michael Johnson Colloquium at Brown (PI, BHEX) (9/22)
- Assemble Science/Engineering Leadership Team for NASA / CSA
Aug 2025
Science
Leadership
Engineering
Leadership
BHEX Mini
Team
Advisors
Inner
circle
BHEX Mini
Science
Leadership
Inner
circle
BHEX Mini
Engineering
Leadership
Advisors
BHEX Mini
Team
Inner
circle
BHEX Mini
Science
Leadership
Engineering
Leadership
Advisors
BHEX Mini
Team
Engineering
Leadership
Inner
circle
BHEX Mini
Science
Leadership
Advisors
BHEX Mini
Team
Inner
circle
BHEX Mini
Science
Leadership
Engineering
Leadership
Advisors
BHEX Mini
Team
Advisors
Inner
circle
BHEX Mini
Science
Leadership
Engineering
Leadership
BHEX Mini
Team
Inner
circle
BHEX Mini
Science
Leadership
Engineering
Leadership
Advisors
BHEX Mini
Team
Team
BHEX Mini
Inner
circle
Science
Leadership
Engineering
Leadership
Advisors
Inner
circle
BHEX Mini
Science
Leadership
Engineering
Leadership
Advisors
BHEX Mini
Team
🕒 Prospective Timeline
June
July
August
September
🕒 Prospective Timeline
June
July
August
September
- NASA NIAC 2025 Phase I Step I
- SpaceCom Conference 2026
- Brown Nelson + Hazeltine Grants
-
Antenna Focus
- Nacer Chahat
- Emmanuel Decrossas
🕒 Prospective Timeline
June
July
August
September
- NSF Foundational Research in Robotics Grant (FRR)
- Fall Walls Foundation Selections
- NASA NIAC 2025 Phase I Step I
- SpaceCom Conference 2026
- Brown Nelson + Hazeltine Grants
-
Antenna Focus
- Nacer Chahat
- Emmanuel Decrossas
-
Cryocooler Focus
- SunPower
- Blue Marble
🕒 Prospective Timeline
June
July
Aug
September
- NSF Foundational Research in Robotics Grant (FRR)
- Fall Walls Foundation Selections
- Brown University Co-Lab
- NASA NIAC Phase I Round I Step B Selections Announced
-
Solar Panel Focus
- DCubed Inc.
- DHV Tech
- NASA NIAC 2025 Phase I Step I
- SpaceCom Conference 2026
- Brown Nelson + Hazeltine Grants
-
Antenna Focus
- Nacer Chahat
- Emmanuel Decrossas
-
Cryocooler Focus
- SunPower
- Blue Marble
🕒 Prospective Timeline
June
July
Aug
Sep
-
Cryocooler Focus
- SunPower
- Blue Marble
- NSF Foundational Research in Robotics Grant (FRR)
- Fall Walls Foundation Selections
- Brown University Co-Lab
- NASA NIAC Phase I Round I Step B Selections Announced
-
Solar Panel Focus
- DCubed Inc.
- DHV Tech
- NSF Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation for the Astronomical Sciences (ATI)
-
Data Downlink Focus
- MIT Lincoln Labs
- ALICE/CLICK Teams
- NASA NIAC 2025 Phase I Step I
- SpaceCom Conference 2026
- Brown Nelson + Hazeltine Grants
-
Antenna Focus
- Nacer Chahat
- Emmanuel Decrossas
BHEX Mini
- 🎯 Introduction
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Roles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
- 🤝 The Request
💰Funding Deadlines
June
💰Funding Deadlines
$5,000
-
Brown Nelson Grants
- Submitted: June 30
- Decision: Sep 15
July
💰Funding Deadlines
$5,000
$175,000
-
Brown Nelson Grants
- Submitted: June 30
- Decision: Sep 15
-
NASA NIAC Phase I
- Submitted: July 15
- Decision: Sep 6
Aug
💰Funding Deadlines
$5,000
$175,000
>$4M
-
Brown Nelson Grants
- Submitted: June 30
- Decision: Sep 15
-
NASA NIAC Phase I
- Submitted: July 15
- Decision: Sep 6
-
Templeton Grant
- Submitted: Aug 15
- Decision: Oct 10
Sep
💰Funding Deadlines
$5,000
$175,000
>$4M
-
Brown Nelson Grants
- Submitted: June 30
- Decision: Sep 15
-
NASA NIAC Phase I
- Submitted: July 15
- Decision: Sep 6
-
Templeton Grant
- Submitted: Aug 15
- Decision: Oct 10
-
AAS Splinter Meeting
- Submitted: Sep 25
- Decision: Oct 30
Oct
💰Funding Deadlines
$5,000
-
NASA NIAC Phase I
- Submitted: July 15
- Decision: Sep 6
$175,000
-
Brown Nelson Grants
- Submitted: June 30
- Decision: Sep 15
>$4M
-
Templeton Grant
- Submitted: Aug 15
- Decision: Oct 10
-
AAS Splinter Meeting
- Submitted: Sep 25
- Decision: Oct 30
-
CSA FAST Grant
- Submitted: Oct 26
- Decision: Dec 15
>$400,000
BHEX Mini
- 🎯 Introduction
- 🔭 Event Horizon Telescope
- 📻 BHEX (Black Hole Explorer Satellite)
- 🛰️ BHEX Mini Primary Science Objectives
- 📊 BHEX Mini Mission Parameters
- 📡 BHEX Mini Operational Roles
- 🚀 BHEX Mini Orbital Configuration
- 🕒 BHEX Mini Timeline
- 💰Funding Deadlines
- 🤝 The Request
BHEX Mini | Princeton Seminar
By Ref Bari
